Medical treatment to help reduce the inflammation and other effects currently include the use of oral corticosteroids, various other anti-inflammatory medications from the aminosalicylate group of drugs and rectal preparations. Immunosuppressants (used in organ transplants and some other conditions) are also widely used in IBD, but at much lower doses and help to modulate the immune system and suppress inflammation.

Antibiotic medications may also be needed, in particular for the treatment of abscesses and fistulas. Anti-diarrhoeal and other drugs are less commonly used to help alleviate symptoms. Some of the drug therapies are taken only for the period of time that disease is active (symptoms are present), while others may need to be continued even when disease is inactive. The specialist doctors primarily involved in the medical management of IBD are gastroenterologists.

Surgery can become necessary if the drug treatment is no longer effective or if a complication develops. Up to 75 percent of people with Crohn's disease will have surgery at some time during their lives, however advances in medical management are helping to reduce the need for surgery.

The most common operation is to cut out the affected portion of intestine and rejoin the two ends. This does not result in a cure though, as the disease tends to recur. Sometimes removal of the large intestine (colon) may be required and depending on whether the rectum can be saved, it may result in the need to have the end of the small intestine brought out onto the abdomen permanently. This is called an ileostomy and a special appliance (bag) will need to be worn to collect waste from the small intestine.

Surgery may be required for the drainage of abscesses and for fistula repair. In ulcerative colitis, up to 30 percent of people will go on to have surgery, which does bring about a cure.

The operation of choice nowadays is a pelvic pouch. This involves removing the large intestine and rectum, and fashioning a whole new pouch out of the end part of the small intestine, which is brought down and positioned in the pelvis to connect to the anal opening. Occasionally this operation may not be suitable and a standard ileostomy may be required. When surgery has been recommended, this is arranged with a surgeon who normally does bowel surgery i.e., a colorectal surgeon.

Other treatment approaches include advising smokers with Crohn's disease to stop smoking, as it has been found to make this condition worse. Special liquid nutritional supplements for Crohn's disease can be helpful during flare-ups and newer products that contain anti-inflammatory properties have been used successfully helping to reduce or eliminate the need for steroid medications - an important option for children considering their growth and development needs.

Alternative therapies, including herbal remedies, acupuncture, massage and aromatherapy might be helpful in dealing with some of the effects of the IBD, however they should only be used complementary to conventional medicine. Care also needs to be taken that they do not interfere or react with existing treatments. Therefore it is important to choose a practitioner who has the appropriate credentials recognised by their professional body and is willing to work in with the treating doctor.